Best rapper ever?

[the People's Champ]

For me a good mc is someone who is witty, can flip words around, tell stories and most importantly be able to hold their own in a head-to-head FREESTLE MC battle.

spoken like a true junglist

 

[Welsh power house]

yeah i would agree that fans can decide certain things, but going pop aint one of them. Will smith has always aimed his music at popular charts since he makes 'feel good' rap so naturally his music goes to the audience he aims it at. Rakim, public enemy and others have aimed their music at the more, for lack of a better term, hardcore audience and regardless of fans have kept their music that way.
They either release a single into the pop charts or they dont.

yeah no doubt, freestyling is a huge part of being a great rapper, and whoever said rakim was behind big is rubbish. Have you heard big freestyle....good, not great.
I dont mind his music at all, some of its class but i really think you are over rating him.

I put will smith in the choices because he has sold a shit load of records, is one of the biggest names in rap and in my opinion has some decent records out....nice to listen to some of his stuff aswell as the hardcore shit too.

 

[C.U.N.T]

Rakim or Ice-t technically(freestyling, lyricall content..) 2 pac or Ice cube probably best all over. Both are good rappers and have a wide range of tracks, i loved all eyes on me.

Whoever said Run Dmc, yeah would agree they rule, but are two togther, like de la soul, daz efx, m.o.p, wu-tang, westside connection, n.w.a or any other rap act cant really be included in this poll, yeah ok method man has done his own stuff too so i guess thats cool.

 

[manny78]

Gangstarr, I dont even need to think about it. Saw them once live. Guys were amazing.

 

[Estranged]

Why do some of you guys reply but dont vote on the poll, is'nt it easier to see what everne thinks if you all vote aswell?

Personally i would have to for Rakim or

D M X

 

[Johnny Auto Parts]

I think this poll also ignored Common, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli...arguably the top 3 lyricists in the game. Maybe they haven't done enough to be GOATs but they are definitely among the top rappers out today.

But it seems this thread is more geared to rappers who make familiar tracks with great beats. That's fine with me--I listen to a mix of lyrical shit and more mainstream hip hop. I still don't think its been justified why Biggie isn't a consideration....furthermore, there are very few rappers who can actually freestyle--neither Biggie nor Rakim can. All they do is kick a pre-written verse in a studio over some random beat...thats not freestyling.

 

[furious]

hhmm, seems we need to define the word rapper. From this list, I say Rakim or Method Man. Personally, I really like Pharoah Monch, he is sick.

lyrics? Rakim

freestyle? Kurrupt, I heard him freestyle for 20 damn minutes without missing a beat.

message? Common

Slim Shady was dope when he was hungry and all...fame makes people soft, ask Jay-Z or Nas, neither can freestyle anymore.

 

[BigDdaGanjalist]

Slim Shady was dope when he was hungry and all...fame makes people soft, ask Jay-Z or Nas, neither can freestyle anymore.

also the fact that before they had a deal they've prolly been working on that first album ever since they first started thinking about mc'n... so any album after the first one just can't compare to the years of work... but Im confident that Slim can still freestyle, he's still somewhat new.

As for Will Smith, he's always had the same style since forever. So is he keepin it real? I personally like that song 'Parents Just Don't Understand' that and 'Shut Em Down' by Public Enemy were one of the first rap songs I ever liked.

eZ.

 

[the People's Champ]

Gangstarr, I dont even need to think about it. Saw them once live. Guys were amazing.

totally forgot bout this cat. mos def hott.

 

[Lguy00]

what about biggie smalls. he is the best ever. or little romeo he is great also.